FOND DU LAC - Time to pop the champagne. The public will get its first glimpse of the newly-renovated Hotel Retlaw as it opens its doors Saturday morning.

The city has waited for years to see what the fate of the Main Street hotel would be. First opened in 1923 by Walter Schroeder, the hotel changed hands — and names — over the years. In 2016, the hotel was sold at auction, before in 2018, being officially repurchased by Legendary Hotels LLC Principal Partners Dennis Doucette and Steve Frantz.

Construction surprises delayed the hotel's opening over the course of the work. In early 2018, windows needed to be replaced, which, due to their historical nature, required the hotel to work with the National Parks Service. In November, a burst fire sprinkler sent a waterfall into the lobby, and the need for a new elevator pushed the December opening date to March.

This 1920s' image shows the Retlaw Hotel as it appeared when first built.(Photo: Courtesy of Fond du Lac Public Library)

The roll-out now coincides with the 96th anniversary of the hotel's opening, which the spirit of Schroeder guided them to, Frantz said with a laugh.

Timeless design

Though nearly a century has passed, the hotel's design is reminiscent of the era from which it sprang — each aspect is designed by Guru of Luxury's Yvonne Roberts, who exceeded even Doucette's expectations.

"I was floored," he said of viewing the lobby for the first time.

As people step inside and onto white, black and brown porcelain-tiled floors, they do so under crystal chandeliers. Pillars and doorways are covered in vintage black and white panels.

Near the Main Street entrance is Espresso Café & Wine Bar — managed by Sara Cujak, who previously owned Cujak’s Wine & Coffee Bar. Beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Fond du Lac will be able to grab a hot drink from the bar. In the afternoon, wine and craft beers will also be available.

At the other end of the hall, at 4 p.m., beverages will be served up at the Lobby Bar, which overlooks Division Street. A grand piano and electric fireplace separate the bar from Jazzmine's Brasserie, which offers a bistro-like setting with light purple chairs, and black and porcelain finishes. As guest floors open in phases over the next six to eight weeks, hours will expand.

The lower level is home to the hotel's spa, which will be ready very soon, said Frantz. Druellen Kosti, who previously served as the Heidel House's spa director, will take the helm at the Hotel Retlaw. Pam Kristmann will bring The Texture Salon, formerly located at 104 S. Main St., to the hotel as well, filling the hotel's only leased space.

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Massages will be offered in the hotel's spa.(Photo: Sarah Razner/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

The spa's entrance features a brick back splash bathed in light. Earth tones carry through the spa, as well as gold finishes and royal blue chairs and lounges. Photos of Hollywood stars from the 1930s to 1970s will line the walls — each framed by Fond du Lac's Julie Balson, of Gallery & Frame Shop.

"We're trying to engage the community as much as we can and support the other downtown business owners. It is really important to us because we are both residents of Fond du Lac and plan to be so forever," said Frantz.

On the second level, guests are treated to a view overlooking the lobby, which Doucette and Frantz describes as the best view in the hotel. To right, are conference rooms named after presidents from the 1930s and 1960s, such as Kennedy and Eisenhower.

To the left is a wide hall is hand-laid tile — restored from when the hotel first opened — with small chandeliers lighting the way down it. Each part of the renovation was overseen by the Wisconsin Historical Commission and National Parks Service, to make sure every aspect which could be preserved was, Frantz said.

"Everywhere we couldn't an original, we worked with the National Park Service and State Historical Preservation office to get something in the same vein or reflective of that period," he said.

The Windsor Room, which will have a more of a regal-feel, includes a terrace overlooking Division Street. The Crystal Ballroom, which has can fit 250 people for a sit-down dinner, and 350 for a standing reception, holds original chandeliers and above them, the ceiling is decorated in art-deco swirls painted by a Miami-based artist. In addition the the vintage aspects, the ballroom is decked out with modern technology to be utilized by guests; it is a quality carried through the hotel.

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A view of the new Hotel Retlaw lobby from the second floor.(Photo: Sarah Razner/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Already, the hotel is getting in on the wedding scene as it took part in a $25,000 wedding giveaway with Radio Plus and Sweet 'N Easy events won by Odin Nett and Stephanie Mallinger. Thus far, 33 weddings have been booked at the hotel, and multiple corporate events. The first wedding will take place March 23.

Finishing touches are still being made on the floors. Wall coverings and art must be hung, elevator carriages replaced, and tile added to the fireplace in Jazzmine's. In April, a membership will be made available for the restaurants and spa, with access to complimentary mixers, art exhibits and interactive lunches wherein a chef will offer instruction — an event Doucette employed at The Biltmore Hotel.

Coming alive once more

On Thursday night, the hotel swelled with happy energy as city officials got a sneak peek and a meal by Chef Chanse Schomber. Piano music filled the air, as drinks swirled in glasses and voices carried comments on the hotel, its journey and its impact on the city.

City Council President Karyn Merkel remembers being in the hotel when it was last open about four years ago. Following the Empty Bowls event, Merkel and guests were told they had to leave as soon as possible and the hotel was closed.

"It's so nice to be here again. It still has the same structure, but it's so beautiful," said Merkel.

The downtown and the Fond du Lac community as a whole has been waiting for many years for the hotel open again. Even prior to its opening, business owners were buying up the property surrounding it, such as the Livery Lofts and Dillinger’s.

In this way, it is bringing the whole downtown block back online, as well as showcasing the city, said Envision Greater Fond du Lac Vice President of Economic Development M. Scott Powell.

One of the potentially impacted organizations bearing great excitement is Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. Executive Director Jacqui Corsi looks forward to the possibilities that come from having a hotel in close proximity. The Hotel Retlaw will allow for downtown conference, allowing attendees to move between the hotel and the center, which Corsi sees as a complimentary space.

The hotel also adds another dimension to Fond du Lac hotel’s market — the first luxury option since the hotel originally opened, said Craig Molitor, Destination Lake Winnebago Region president.

Past economic impact, its redevelopment also has a personal touch for Molitor and those who live in the city.

“This means more since my daughter is from Fond du Lac. This is her hometown. I want her to grow up in a town that has this in the heart of its downtown,” he said.

Not only will the community benefit from the hotel, but the community's dedication will continue bolster it as it has since work began.

"It's been tremendously exciting ... This is the kind of project that couldn't just happen anywhere. We needed community support, we needed city support, county support, business leaders," said Frantz. "It's really, our dreams are being realized. we're delivering on the vision we set forth, that we told the community we were going to produce."